HP and Arrow are working together to make it easy to add free versions of HP's StoreVirtual Virtual Storage Array to both HP and non-HP servers, and in the process maybe selling a lot more of the software-defined storage technology.

Symantec, already in the process of separating its Veritas data protection and information management business from its Symantec security business, may sell Veritas to a private equity firm instead, according to Reuters and Bloomberg.

The first half of 2015 has seen major releases and updates in the server market from industry powerhouses like Dell, EMC, Lenovo, IBM and Oracle. Here are 10 of the coolest that were released so far this year.

While Hewlett-Packard is widely believed to have talked with EMC about acquiring the storage vendor last year, the chances of such a deal happening this year are much higher, according to a couple of the IT industry's top financial analysts.

The newest version of Symantec's flagship data protection suite, NetBackup, is slated to be released next week with enhanced simplification and scaling capabilities, a source close to the company told CRN.

NetApp admits it dropped the ball on its all-flash storage array strategy, and is now moving aggressively to make up for lost time with its new AFF8000 family, which offers all the software of its FAS line and is available in a software-version for AWS clouds.

Datto used this week's partner conference to expand its Backupify data protection with Office 365 integration, and to add ownCloud private cloud file sync and share capabilities to its SIRIS business continuity appliances.

Pure Storage is ending its use of industry-standard server hardware for a custom hardware approach to increase performance and density, and backing it up with a new program that provides nondisruptive capacity, controller and software upgrades.